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3.6 Minute

12-08-2024 Team Medicover urology

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr G Gokul Nachiketh, Urologist

Healthy Diet Plan to Prevent Kidney Stones

Eat healthy foods to keep kidney stones away. Your diet plays a major role in preventing them. Kidney stones have become quite common in India and can affect people of all age groups.

If you already have kidney stones, your doctor will likely recommend blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasound scans to check your kidney condition. These tests help identify risk factors, and your doctor will guide you on the necessary dietary changes and medical care to prevent kidney stones from coming back.

What is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone is a hard, crystal-like deposit that forms inside your kidneys when minerals and salts in your urine stick together.

They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pebble. Small stones may pass on their own, but larger ones can get stuck, causing:

Severe pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
Blood in urine
Frequent urge to urinate
Nausea or vomiting

There are several types of Kidney Stones, categorized based on their composition. Here are the types:

Calcium Oxalate Stones
Calcium Phosphate Stones
Struvite Stones
Uric Acid Stones
Cystine Stones

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Dietary Recommendations for Kidney Stone Patients

Dietary recommendations will vary depending on the minerals found in kidney stones. People should consult their doctor regarding diet plans to prevent the formation of renal calculi.

The following are some kidney stone dietary recommendations to help avoid calculi formation in the kidneys. They are as follows:

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common cause of kidney stones; drinking more water can help prevent them.
It is suggested to have 6-8 glasses of water each day. Many other fluids include a lot of salt; it's critical to check the sodium content of the drink.

Increasing Citrus Intake

Citrus juice and fruits containing naturally occurring citrate can help reduce or prevent the formation of stones. Citrus is abundant in oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.

Calcium and Oxalate-Rich Foods

Oxalate levels may rise if calcium levels are inadequate. Calcium should be obtained through food rather than supplements, as supplements have been linked to kidney stone formation. Calcium is found in milk, cottage cheese, broccoli, cabbage, okra and yogurt.
If you can't have cow's milk, try lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, or goat's milk.

Vitamin D

Make vitamin D-rich foods a part of everyday diet. Vitamin D helps calcium absorption. Fatty fish, mushrooms, and cheese should all be consumed.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are essential components of a well-balanced diet. Increasing the number of vegetables and fruits (dried, frozen, or fresh) in a person's diet can help them avoid stone formation.
People should become familiar with high-oxalate fruits and vegetables such as spinach and try to limit their consumption. They can also be combined with calcium-rich meals.

Plant-Based Protein

Animal proteins are safe to consume in small amounts. On the other hand, consuming an excessive amount of animal protein, especially red meat raises the risk of kidney stones.
A kidney stone diet should include plant-based proteins. To meet the needs, eat peas, beans, and lentils. People should see a doctor or a dietician about their specific protein needs, which will differ from person to person.

Foods to Avoid on a Kidney Stone Diet

If someone develops a kidney stone, visit a doctor to determine the type of kidney stone. Whenever possible, kidney stones should be analyzed to know their composition. This will help to decide which foods to avoid.

If people are not sure and want to be on the safe side when it comes to kidney stones, here is a list of diets that should be avoided.

Limit Salt Intake

High salt levels in the body might aggravate calcium accumulation in urine. Avoid adding excess salt to meals and read the sodium level of processed foods
Fast food, like traditional restaurant foods, can be high in sodium. Keep track of everything you eat. Some vegetable juices are also high in salt.

Reduce the Consumption of Animal Protein

Uric acid levels are raised by many protein sources, including red meat, pig, chicken, poultry, fish, beef and eggs.
A substance called citrate is lower in our urine when we consume a lot of protein. The objective of citrate is to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Protein is essential for overall health; therefore, discuss with a doctor how much should be consumed regularly.

A Plant-Based Diet May be the Best Option

Oxalates should be consumed in moderation. These substance-rich foods have been connected to the formation of kidney stones.

If the patient has previously experienced kidney stones, they may want to reduce or eliminate oxalates from their diet.

If the patient does not consume oxalates-containing meals, ensure that they consume calcium-rich foods. Foods high in oxalate include:

Chocolate
Spinach
Nuts
Beets
Sweet potatoes
Rhubarb
Peanuts
Wheat bran

Drinks to Avoid on a Kidney Stone Diet

Avoiding certain drinks is important on a kidney stone diet, as some beverages can increase the risk of stone formation and hinder kidney health.

Colas Should Not be Consumed

Cola has a lot of phosphates, which is another ingredient that may promote the formation of kidney stones; thus, it should be avoided.
Added sugars are sugars and syrups added to processed foods and beverages. Increasing sugar and fructose intake may increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
Keep an eye on the sugar intake, which can be found in processed foods such as cake, fruit, soft drinks, and juices.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones

As we mentioned above, Kidney Failure means a sudden loss of blood stream to yours. There are several causes. Here is the list of some other causes listed below:

Drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day.
Citrus juices, such as orange juice, should be consumed.
Reduce the consumption of salt, animal protein, added sugar, and products containing high fructose corn syrup.
At each meal, consume a calcium-rich item (No calcium supplements)
Avoid foods and beverages high in oxalates and phosphates.
Avoid dehydrating substances, such as alcohol.

Changes in diet can have a significant impact on the formation of renal calculi. It is the first line of defense against kidney stone formation and can be quite successful.

So, with a few dietary changes, one may be able to avoid kidney stones forever!

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Citations

Kidney stone disease: Etiology and evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Snack on fruits like apples or carrots and nuts like almonds, which are healthy options that can help prevent kidney stones.

Your doctor may recommend certain supplements like citrate or vitamin B6 to help prevent specific types of kidney stones.

Yes, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent kidney stones by improving overall health.

Water helps keep urine diluted, preventing minerals from forming crystals that can lead to kidney stones.

Avoid sugary sodas, energy drinks, and beverages high in oxalates, like spinach-based smoothies. Instead, opt for water and citrate-rich drinks like lemon water.

Fasting without proper hydration can increase the risk of kidney stones. Always drink enough water during fasting periods.

Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and drink plenty of water. Limit salt, animal protein, and foods high in oxalate.

Patients with ureteral stones can eat low-oxalate foods such as bananas, melons, cauliflower, and rice. Staying well-hydrated is important, and it's best to avoid excessive salt and protein to reduce the risk of stone formation.

No, kidney stones differ by composition—calcium, uric acid, struvite, or cystine—and need tailored prevention and treatment.

Staying well-hydrated is key. Drinking 2–3 liters of water daily helps prevent stone formation by flushing minerals from the kidneys.